Re:Chindogu: Weird and Useless Japanese Inventions
by ushimitsudoki on Sunday May 10, 2026 @01:16PM
(#48085797)
I was initially confused since the term "Chindogu" isn't actually that common in Japan, but it turns out it was an artistic movement led by Kenji Kawakami.
While they are humorous, it's a serious artistic endeavor at its core, so it's not exactly "laugh-out-loud" funny. I feel like there are much crazier inventions in Japan—I wish I could think of some specific examples to share right now, but nothing is coming to mind at the moment.
One "interesting" invention (that might have seemed a bit silly at first) is fan-cooled workwear. With Japan’s summer temperatures now constantly hitting 35°C (95°F), what started as a quirky idea has become an absolute necessity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chind%C5%8Dgu
While they are humorous, it's a serious artistic endeavor at its core, so it's not exactly "laugh-out-loud" funny. I feel like there are much crazier inventions in Japan—I wish I could think of some specific examples to share right now, but nothing is coming to mind at the moment.
One "interesting" invention (that might have seemed a bit silly at first) is fan-cooled workwear. With Japan’s summer temperatures now constantly hitting 35°C (95°F), what started as a quirky idea has become an absolute necessity.
https://kuchoufuku.com/
There’s something inherently funny about the models in the link posing so seriously while wearing clothes that are completely puffed up with air.